Collings Lakes man admits defrauding postal service out of $335,972

CAMDEN – A truck driver formerly employed by a trucking company in Ocean Township admitted Friday to stealing over $300,000 from the U.S. Postal Service through unauthorized use of fuel cards given to the company in connection with a contract to haul U.S. mail, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

Vincenzo Bender, 36, of Collings Lakes entered his guilty plea to theft of government property before U.S. District Judge Joseph E. Irenas.

Bender admitted that from November 2005 to October 2008, he used what are known as Voyager Cards to make numerous unauthorized purchases of fuel for his personal use, including for a side towing business and to sell to others at a discounted price. Bender used a number of cards – issued to trucks he drove and to trucks operated by other drivers – and visited multiple gas stations, often hear his home. As part of the scheme, Bender installed a large rubber bladder in his personal truck which held approximately 100 gallons of fuel.

The USPS contracts with trucking companies for long haul delivery of mail, including with a trucking company that employed Bender. The USPS gave special fuel credit cards called “Voyager cards” to the company, which its drivers were to use to buy fuel for trucks used to transport the mail. The USPS was billed directly for all charges incurred.

Bender faces 10 years in prison when he is sentenced on July 8. He has agreed as part of his guilty plea to make $335,972 in restitution. He is free on bail.